BEST SCI FI MOVIES ON HBOMAX: 20. Oblivion 19. The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy 18. Scanners 17. Eraserhead 16. Equilibrium 15. I Am Legend 14. 12 Monkeys 13. Time Bandits 12. The Iron Giant 11. Contact 10. Tenet 9. Inception 8. The Matrix 7. Dune 6. Planet of the Apes 5. Mad Max Fury Road 4. Stalker 3. Blade Runner The Final Cut 2. Blade Runner 2049 1. 2001: A Space Odyssey Honorable Mentions: The Animatrix, Cloverfield, Underwater, Fantastic Planet, Event Horizon
I watched Eraserhead back in RTF class in college. Yeah, you have it right, it was his UCLA film class submission as I recall, and utterly strange but perhaps one of the most watched film class submissions in history.
I saw 2001 as a birthday party thing when I turned 12 in June 1968. It was at the 70 MM theater in our little E Texas town. I had 10 friends with me, and we discussed/argued/reveled in that movie for the entire summer. It was a spectacle for our young minds, and wound up being indelible.
The scariest thing in #15 "I Am Legend" was just before Will Smith ran into the lion was the sign at the gas station that read $6.35 per gallon. The honorable mention of "Underwater" made me smile since that was the last movie I saw in a theater before the COVID shit show started, and it was great. I always thought that I didn't get "2001:A Space Oddesy" was because I thought when I first saw it in 1969I was 10 years old and dumb, happy to know it's not just me.
Agree that Stalker is not for general audiences, but there were many images where I had to pause and try to comprehend what I was looking at. Probably the closest anyone has ever come to filming what a dream actually looks and feels like.
Contact is solid, a compelling watch 24 years later as we look to the Moon, Mars and beyond. Jodie Foster smart, driven, passionate and vulnerable, one of my favorite performances of hers.
"Equilibrium" "...far from realistic...," because, yeah, who wants to burn books, tamp down artists, music, the NEA, you know, and institute a totalitarian government? Dude. Seriously? This is a totally prophetic movie that lays out exactly what's happening in America and, sadly, around the world. This movie was brilliance wrapped up as a gift.
@@skellington2000 what kind of weird world are you living in R’s have been trying to cancel TV shows, movies + books forever. Just recently the Virginia governors race was spotlighted because a Mother found out the school was having her 17-year-old kid read Toni Morrison‘s novel “Beloved“ and wanted it out of school. The religious right have been burning book ‘s and albums since the 70s. Progressives aren’t trying to get rid of anything. Finally, all the best music and books and movies come from the minds of Progressives. Besides Clint Eastwood your cupboard is bare. But try again.
@@skellington2000 I can agree with most of those. I’m a progressive, but the loony left makes me cringe just as much (or more) as the far far right does. I can’t stand a leftist like Rashida Talib or journalist like Joy Reid more than MTG or judge Jeanine “Wine Box“ Pirro. While I am a Democrat, I’m basically a centrist. I live in West Virginia, and grew up with a coal mine family who hunts and goes fishing regularly. So I’m not a stuffy elite from San Francisco or another out of touch ritzy area like The Hamptons.
2001 - saw it when it was released when I was 6. Had a major influence on me becoming a scientist, astronomer and association with space. I am glad to see you make the points about it; its importance as a movie in general, and it's massive influence on all future directors and... most importantly, the scientists and engineers that are pushing the frontiers of space today. There is not one of us who was not profoundly influenced by 2001.
It's nice to see someone younger letting people know that movies do not begin with Star Wars. I love Star Wars, but I hate that a lot of people think film history starts there.
Stalker is one of my favorite movies of all time 🖤 instant respect for this channel (from a newcomer here) for recognizing it as a rightful masterpiece. Can’t wait to dig into more of your vids 🤘
"2001: A Space Odyssey" is still debated, discussed, and watched 53 years after it was made. That, in itself, is saying something. Great choice for #1. I thoroughly enjoyed this program, and so many films on your list I am definitely going to re-visit. Great job!
It set the bar for movie narratives and cinema photography, but I couldn't place it at no.1 for that alone when now there's movies like the new Dune. Still need to pay homage to 2001 a space odyssey but people put it at number 1 just for that sake.
Dune is 20k yrs in the future. It says it’s 10190 because 10k yrs ago from that there was a pinnacle moment in history where it was like BC and AD we have today. It was when the space guild was created and Arrakis and spice took the center stage of the empire and houses.
I'm so glad 2001: A Space Odyssey is your number one pick! The film is intelligent, provocative, inspiring and visually stunning, it is a cinematic work of art! I once heard it said that, " when it comes to movies, there's 2001: A Space Odyssey and then there's everything else". I saw the film in 1968 when I was 18 years old and the impression it made was indelible. Seeing it while on acid did enhance the experience but I still watch it every year and it always amazes me. For me, the only sting in the tail is how little space travel has progressed in the 53 years since the film's release, I hoped that as the 21st century unfolded, the interplanetary travel depicted in 2001 was prophetical, not science fiction.
Do you know what makes this video best? Its the fact that you put the list for us right there in comments. Many youtubers literally leave the list so that everyone has to watch the whole video. But it's so frustrating when we come back to these videos which are like 30mins long & ofc no one's gonna watch the whole thing again just to find that one movie or even all of them. Love you for doing that. Subscribed. Great video too btw. Would love if you use that new youtube feature of chapters for individual movies as then later we can switch to individual movie short reviews.
I am skeptical about Stalker also ....am I too lazy ignorant to relax with this highly philosophed/ dreamlike/ make ur own decisions... Type 🎭 arthouse 🎥 film ...I trust D's remarks; but,if ya look into this Russian masterpiece .....critics adore it; regular movie loving people say,😣....it's soooo many allegories.***** I read a new version is out(?) With Woody Harrelson....✌️
@@carystallings6068 😴.....wasn't crazy about Solaris either. ...maybe I'm too un motivated to spend brain cells figuring figuring struggling with," ok, WTF is going on now?; Allegory,reality,present,past???? .....I'm 😩 tired..... After investigating, Stalker,will be like that,I think......I'm working up to viewing it....😳✌️
Great presentation, Darren. Sci-Fi movies that I have enjoyed are:- Oblivion, Scanners 💥, Equilibrium, I Am Legend, 12 Monkeys, Tenet 💥💥, The Matrix 💥💥, Dune (This will be a definite must-see, for me and I’ll give you feed back) 🌟, Planet Of The Apes (Definitely the best and from my generation) 💥, Mad Max: Fury Road 💥, Blade Runner and Blade Runner 2049 💥💥. Finally, my all time favourite, 2001: A Space Odyssey 💥💥💥💥💥 Agree 100% with you, on your observations on 2001. Many thanks for sharing with us, Darren 🌟🌟🌟
Good to see "Stalker" getting the love it deserves. Tarkovsky literally had to shoot the entire film three(!) times, but it was worth it. Solaris (Tarkovsky's other sci-fi masterpiece) is also on HBO Max, if folks haven't seen it. Great list, as always.
I saw it when I was 12 years old. Instantly became one of my top 5 sf s ever. Can't believe how people (including me) lost patience in watching a movie.
I forget his name, but the guy who wrote EQUILIBRIUM had my opinion on professional critics. When they asked how he felt about getting panned by critics he said, “I didn’t write the movie for a bunch of people I wouldn’t want to have a beer with.”
@@somethingclever4563 at least none of those were different then what you could expect btw. really lovedd interview with a vampire in my young days, steel magnolias is obviously aimed at the female gender
That's quite the lineup! I highly recommend Stalker. I saw this for the first time when it was released on DVD. Definitely slow paced but so visually beautiful and such a deep story. Was based on a novel called Roadside Picnic. The original Solaris movie is by the same director. Eraserhead rules as well!
Kubrick was a genius. His movies typically have multi-level hidden themes that are beyond most people. Kubrick's Odyssey by Jay Weidner is a must watch. There is also a part 2!
I had no interest in Christian Bale as an actor, until I saw "Equilibrium". I did a complete 180, and started watching everything he did. Now, Bale is one of the five greatest actors working today (in my humble opinion). I never miss any of his films.
Well, I was on the fence about whether to get HBO Max for Dune. But hearing Tarkovsky’s Stalker is on it settles it for me. It’s criminal that his work is not better known. Thanks for the info!
Honestly I think HBO max is one of the better streaming services out there right now. With the new release movies, older movies, all of the HBO original shows plus pretty much the entire WB catalog its packed with good stuff.
@@DR_Bloom86 got it, watched Dune. Liked it, but constantly comparing it to Lynch version (which I like). I could watch Villaneuve’s (sp?) Arrival over and over. Not sure if I could with his Dune….
@@nicolknappen6596 Exactly, I don't get the hype of the new Dune and the hate for the Lynch version, although I personally loved the first one a lot. Might be marketing reasons though
I usually have a harder time with most slow-paced movies. But, Stalker looks to embody my favorite kind of atmosphere. Thanks for putting the word out. I'll be checking it out as soon as I can.
While I had seen Dune several times on HBO Max, I was planning to see Dune in IMAX over Thanksgiving holiday, and I was incredibly disappointed that Dune had already left all the theaters, including the regular theaters. Thankfully, it did get re-released to IMAX around Christmas, so I was able to see it then. It was spectacular in IMAX! This was my first time experiencing IMAX, and I have to say that while it was really amazing, when I think back to the really huge theaters that they had back in the 1970s, IMAX is a throw back to them. I remember seeing Star Wars for the first time in a theater that held well over 800 people on a 70' wide x 35' tall screen (The old Glenwood Theater, in Overland Park, KS,) and the IMAX screen really reminded me of that. The opening scenes in Star Wars were brought back to mind with how Dune appeared in IMAX!
Isn't Miller doing a prequel to Mad Max: Fury Road called Mad Max: Furiosa with Anya Taylor-Joy playing a young Furiosa and Chris Hemsworth? *Perfect list by the way!
Excellent list as always! Thank you! And, yes I like the longer video. I love to hear why you like these movies. It gives me insight that I might not otherwise have as to their quality and what went into making them. Keep up the great work!
Thanks for this man… I legit was thinking this morning “I wonder if Darin put out anything”… and when I got on TH-cam this morning you dropped a gift right in our laps… thanks man… love the beard and the cut! We love you bro keep it up!!!
Ahh "Stalker" - my favorite movie (not just sci-fi movie) period - have watched this movie many times and it's practically a new event each time - recently wanted to see it again but could not find it streaming anywhere so actually bought the blue-ray - of course shortly there-after found it available in a couple places, including HBOMax - sigh, but at least I have it available for whenever now
The Blu-ray looks great! I remember I had to pay something like 35€ for the dvd, witch was three times the cost of a regular film at that time! I was afraid that it would never be restored, not many people are interested in Trakovski's work, all of them are great btw
TCM played Stalker recently and I dvr-ed it. I completely agree, it is very much worth seeing. I loved it. I watched Blade Runner again on hbomax. One of my favorites.
I saw 2001 in the theatre the week it was released and it was THE movie that Sci-Fans had been hoping for all their lives. Loved it then, love it now. Great list! I have seen everything on there multiple times. I would have added the original "The day the Earth Stood Still " with Michael Rennie and "Forbidden Planet" the first big budget Sci-fi pic and introduced Leslie Nielsen and Robbie the Robot!
Agreed. And you kind of have to admire the nerve it takes to say, essentially, “Never mind the studios and penny pinchers and millions of dollars in budget and the critics and everyone and everything else: My mission was to make the movie 14-year-old Denis had in HIS head when he read the books for the first time.”
I love “Scanners”. I bought 1,2 and 3. Someone tried to steal my package in the hallway. They opened it. Then put it back at my door. There loss. I thought it was amusing. Good evening. 🤪 Thank you.
I was in H.S. in '68 when 2001: A Space Odyssey was released. Reviews were bad, no friends recommended it so I skipped it. In '74 it was re-released and I saw it with 70mm, Dolby Sound. They were ALL wrong! Afterward I told my friend "we've just seen film as art." btw, nice shirt...
I Am Legend and the two prior films you mentioned were all based on a 1954 novel by Richard Matheson. Good list. We found a lot of really good films through your recommendations. Thanks!
I am legend is a famous book by Richard Matheson. In the book they were straight out vampires and not zombies. The book is excellent and very well thought of. You should definitely give it a read.
Nice! There are some I wasn't aware of, thank you! A small correction the year 10000 something in the beginning is not 10 000 AD but 10 000 AG (After the Spacing Guild). The actual year would be something like 28 000 AD. I'll shut up now :)
I'm glad I found your channel, thanks for making these. the fact that you know what people like and hate and you take the time to quickly go through a lot of movies and point out all the good and bad aspects of movies is really refreshing to me.
"I am Legend" is a great, remarkable book. The movie really did it no justice at all. It distorted the core of the story and made it into something quite unremarkable. Having read the book three times I considered the movie to be an insult.
Thatś how I feel about Day of the Triffids (which isn´t on this list, of course). Itś a remarkable, sophisticated book! If you only know of it from the movie/TV adaptations, youve been given an entirely dumbed-down idea of the source material.
New subscriber here. Wow, fantastic list. His explanation of 2001 is the greatest ever. I am lucky enough to remember seeing the original as a child in the theater with my dad. Like he pointed-out, no one had ever seen anything like it before. It was magical. I still remember the ships docking with the Blue Danube score. The very first scene in Star Wars was totally borrowed from the revel of the massive ship heading to Saturn.
Stalker is such an incredible movie. Have to love the ambience. Based on Arkadi & Boris Strugatsky's Roadside Picnic. Incidentally, Enki Bilal's Immortel graphic novel, and subsequent movie, are also based on the same book. I would recommend, also from Tarkovsky, the film Solaris based on Stanislaw Lem's book. It was remade later in the US and, although the US film has stunning visuals and suspense, the ambience of Tarkovsky's version is difficult to recreate, let alone improve. Final comment, Stanislaw Lem, a polish science fiction writer, is an absolute must to complete a good science fiction library. He wrote many books besides Solaris. You might want to check The Invincible or The Cyberiad, to mention just a few of his outstanding and forward looking work.
Glad you included my fave, 2001, a visual masterpiece! Especially for that time. It helps to read the book by Arthur Clarke, another sci fi literary master piece. Most don't realize the theme of the book is the passing of intelligence from one civilization to another. The monolith passes that "spark" from that alien civilization, to the apes, our ancestors, in the beginning. The apes begin to understand the bones are a "tool", aka new technology. I love the clip where the ape throws the bone up and it is transformed into a floating satellite and then pen, in the modern space vessel. One technology transformed into another. Pure genius on the part of Kubrick!! This explains the fetus image in the movie towards the end. The new Dawn of a new race. At the end we are ultimately passing our intelligence to another "alien" race, who knows what that could be?
Love your explanations for everything and how honest and insightful your reviews are. You are nailing it sir, thanks for making this. I'm now a loyal subscriber
Oblivion was incredible cinematography and music. I wish they flipped the story a bit and did more of the fall of mankind and the big reveal ending being who was patrolling the different quadrants. Event Horizon! Good ole Warhammer 40k influence.
As for the new Dune I agree it looks good, however as a kid I read Dune the book first and for whatever reason Lynch's portrayal actually mirrored what I imagined that universe to be like so, I am, one of the few that prefers the Lynch version.
@@toddmcminn4722 I have not seen the TV series will check it out. I think the new Dune is a tachnological marvel but a little too antiseptic for my tastes and it was basically an intro. To the main movie, part 2, like you I hope it gets made and is worth the wait.
I really enjoyed this longer video. Great list. I signed up with Criterion just to watch Stalker; glad to see it on HBOMAX. Have you ever seen Shoes of the Fisherman? I thought it was interesting that it was listed as science fiction in a review I read. Have you ever seen it? It has a character in it who is meant to be Teilhard de Chardin who had some pretty unconventional ideas for a Jesuit priest.
Great list - the simple scene in Contact when she first hears the signal and is driving back to the base calling out the coordinates, is spine tingling...
While I do not agree with everything you say in this, I thank you for making a very comprehensive list of absolutely great SciFi films! Thanks for this!
Darren, Brother !!! The 2005 movie adaptation of Hitchhiker's Guide is NOT all we've got! Not even close. We have the brilliant BBC series from 1981 (I'm sure it's available on a few streaming services) The radio play, turned Album in 1979 (maybe iTunes or Spotify ?) and the stage play from 1980 (speak to your local theater director) jes sayin' (but you included Eraserhead, so all is forgiven - except Equilibrium (sucks IMO))
Imagine when Villeneuve finishes Part Two. Then, in a few years, edits the two movies together with deleted scenes to create one long, stunning masterpiece. Similar to when Coppola blended Godfathers I and II for television. Stunning. I just hope I live long enough to see it. Because when you mentioned not being alive when the original "Star Wars" was released, I was 27. And it was stunning. Went back at least seven or eight times, and the opening scene was always stunning. Still is. "Fury Road:" is Furiousa smashes the patriarchy.
Filming DUNE has always been challenging and the latest work has tremendous special effects and scenes but I found the characterizations weak and the Paul Atreides actor just seems wrong. I still enjoy the 1981 DUNE if only because it is a fairly complete movie. I'd like to see what part II is like....
You're right about everything except BR2049. To me, that was not as good a story as the original. It was FULL of visual effects, but to me, a thin story. I never cared about the characters. Outland with Seannery was a better movie, for example. Much better. Even Saturn 3, with Kirk D and Farrah was a better movie. CERTAINLY Logan's Run was a better sci fi, storywise. All good wishes!
I've seen all of these films multiple times because I'm a science fiction geek. You're list is on point. I might put Dune higher than Furry Road simply because Dune is so beautifully shot, directed and the story line in the film is closer to the actual books.
I think dune was a worse fury road. Too slow and brooding plus the characters weren't developed much especially the main character and how nothing really challenges him.
@Flick Connection I couldn't possibly agree MORE with, both, your assement of the original Matrix, AND your opinion on the 2021 Dune film! There was something so grandiose and EPIC about that new Dune film and the FEELING of being transported and INTRODUCED to this MASSIVE, new, universe; it was SO GOOD (the FEELING I mean) and it truly left me jonesing for MORE. And the OG Matrix... omg I literally watched the film 8 or 9 times IN the theatres and I don't even know how many more times after that over the past 20+ yrs, just an amazing piece imo. And tbh the entire Matrix trilogy was special to me; I felt that it could've been ONE gigantic film, the continuity was so well written and directed. It was like a sci-fi, action, romance film all wrapped into one with religious undertones; it was just extraordinary. And lastly the Animatrix... I'm SO happy you added that one to your list, because I feel like a lot of people are unaware of it!? And again the continuity is right there, the stories are all great, and the artwork/animation.... WOW! If you're a fan of Anime, or animated ART, this one is something special. Anyway, i love what you do and genuinely appreciate every vid you post. Thank you for your work and I look forward to your next one!
Great list. It felt like you were combining a few different lists together: groundbreaking vs accessible, visual vs storytelling, best directed ... Etc. Would have liked to have seen arrival on this list... But not sure which category.
I've seen Dune 21 four times once in IMAX... I still love and will always love the David Lynch version equally. it is practically the seminial 80s nostalgic sci-fi movie for me. spoiler alert. the absence of the Navigator scene establishing the origin of the conspiracy... eh left something significant to be desired. but it's it's own masterpiece. cannot wait for part 2 for crying out loud
I totally agree with you, Lynch's version will always be an iconic movie for me as well. I liked the new version for its sweeping beauty but I felt since it was a long part one it should have had more set up like you mention. Hopefully part 2 will pick up some details that would have made sense cinematically in part 1.
I like both versions too. Lynch had to cover twice the ground in half the time so you would think Dune 21 would feature more stuff from the book that we haven’t seen. Instead, it takes it’s time and builds character relationships and visual spectacle. I think we are going to see many more literary masterpieces transposed to film now that the technology has caught up with our imaginations.
Yes thank you for this list, I too really enjoyed Blade Runner 2049, Fury Road and the new Dune, they are 3 of most enjoyable sci fi flicks from this century. I can’t wait for Dune to come out on Blu-ray. Great list! 👏👏
Great list. I would just add that if you press play on Pink Floyd’s Echoes about 23 minutes before the end of 2001, when it says Jupiter and Beyond the Infinite, you’ll have a great time.
dude you have no idea how much I love your channel and the ideas behind your content .. absolutely outstanding concept I wish you'll become a millionaire for the help and the support you show your audience with all the time and efforts you put into every video . Thank you very much.
Thank you so much for such an informed and passionate listing. I felt your love and respect for the genre and of the filmmakers art in every word you spoke.
Your recommendations around 80% of the time are spot on. No one’s perfect 😂. Keep the reviews coming, you’ve introduced me to some many interesting movies.
I had forgotten about Stalker. Completely. Until you started talking about it and I was watching the clips. I watched that one back in the day when Netflix was a DVD rental service and I was really big into foreign movies. Don't have HBO Max but always enjoy your recs, so can't wait to see some of these when they move around to other services, especially nice to hear you gush about Tenet and Fury Road, movies I've been excited or curious about but haven't gotten around to watching yet!
OMG! I have been looking for a movie on this list for at least 15 years! I only saw it once with my dad on tv and did not get to watch it till the end. I kept asking around and doing google searches, but you don't get good results when searching for weird Russian movies. Now I know the movie was Stalker! Thank you so much!
I have to ask: why did you have that short segment of you in black & white that starts at 20:41? Also, you are spot on about the effect Star Wars had on those of us who saw the first theatrical release (I was 17 and an avid movie-goer). It was like nothing else before it, and I've been chasing that feeling ever since. The Matrix came close for me. And, regarding the length of your video, it went by quickly because it was so engrossing. Thank you.
Meanwhile 99% of us Europeans know Stalker and every single Tarkovsky’s movie. With The Mirror and Solaris being on the first and second spot in my list.
This is your very best video to date by far Darren and I've followed you since day 1 of your channel. I am so very glad that you mentioned "Stalker" as it is also one of my all-time favorite films I've ever seen. Stalker is also considered to be #29 on B.F.I.'s greatest films poll, to me the only poll that matters, not that it matters to anyone else, and let's see if that will hold up next year when the poll is taken again? Who knows maybe "Bladerunner 2049" will make that list another of my favorites of all time. And with a very big YES, "Planet of the Apes" is also one of my all-time favorites. They all are in my top 25 of all time. Perhaps "Mad Max Fury Road" will make B.F.I's list? From the looks of it, it will! And wow, the only film on your list that I haven't seen is "Tenant". So I gotta buckle down and see that. And yes, it's been a very long time since I've seen "2001". So I gotta see it again. So many very big thank you's for this list. PLEASE keep it going!
All hail the algorithm! Had never seen your channel before this video but I’m glad I came across it! Very well put together and loved all the movies you had up there. Headed to watch BR2049 again now! Dennis might be my favorite director right now with Arrival, Dune and 2049 being some of my all time fav movies. I subbed and liked, can’t wait to look through what else you have put together.
Thank you Darren. Amazing list as usual! I'm only sad that I already watched all of this :D I'm glad you appreciated "Underwater", I was suggesting it to you back in the day.
I'm still trying to figure out how Mad Max: Fury Road was created. How in the Hell anyone could write, shoot and direct a movei like that is beyond me.
And the few awards it was given were slaps in the face. I think that was the year I really got the message that has been broadcasting on all frequencies for years: awards season is a sham. That movie was MORE than “just an action movie.”
2001 A Space Odyssey was the go to experience of LSD users in 1968. A theatre in Boston ran it 24 hours a day at one point. Almost every showing had freaked out acid heads running up the aisle or curled up into their chair. Ah, youth.
I watched, very stoned, Eraserhead in a tiny fringe cinema in West Berlin in '81. What a bloody experience that was !!! Went back and watched Texas Chainsaw in a similar state a few weeks later, those were the days !!!!!!
BEST SCI FI MOVIES ON HBOMAX:
20. Oblivion
19. The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy
18. Scanners
17. Eraserhead
16. Equilibrium
15. I Am Legend
14. 12 Monkeys
13. Time Bandits
12. The Iron Giant
11. Contact
10. Tenet
9. Inception
8. The Matrix
7. Dune
6. Planet of the Apes
5. Mad Max Fury Road
4. Stalker
3. Blade Runner The Final Cut
2. Blade Runner 2049
1. 2001: A Space Odyssey
Honorable Mentions: The Animatrix, Cloverfield, Underwater, Fantastic Planet, Event Horizon
I watched Eraserhead back in RTF class in college. Yeah, you have it right, it was his UCLA film class submission as I recall, and utterly strange but perhaps one of the most watched film class submissions in history.
I saw 2001 as a birthday party thing when I turned 12 in June 1968. It was at the 70 MM theater in our little E Texas town. I had 10 friends with me, and we discussed/argued/reveled in that movie for the entire summer. It was a spectacle for our young minds, and wound up being indelible.
I really liked Oblivion
@@justaguy6100 I saw it while on acid in 1968, talk about indelible!
The scariest thing in #15 "I Am Legend" was just before Will Smith ran into the lion was the sign at the gas station that read $6.35 per gallon. The honorable mention of "Underwater" made me smile since that was the last movie I saw in a theater before the COVID shit show started, and it was great. I always thought that I didn't get "2001:A Space Oddesy" was because I thought when I first saw it in 1969I was 10 years old and dumb, happy to know it's not just me.
gotta love the support for ‘Time Bandits’ it utterly blew my mind as a kid
👍🏽👍🏽
Its an awesome film....but its fantasy not science fiction...
Time Bandits is an amazing journey.
Agreed!
I liked Time Bandits.. but I absolutely loved Brazil. What a fantastic movie.
Agree that Stalker is not for general audiences, but there were many images where I had to pause and try to comprehend what I was looking at. Probably the closest anyone has ever come to filming what a dream actually looks and feels like.
Contact is solid, a compelling watch 24 years later as we look to the Moon, Mars and beyond. Jodie Foster smart, driven, passionate and vulnerable, one of my favorite performances of hers.
Stalker is indeed way ahead of it's time, I'm so impressed how Tarkovsky use the settings and imagery to convey the story.
"Equilibrium" "...far from realistic...," because, yeah, who wants to burn books, tamp down artists, music, the NEA, you know, and institute a totalitarian government?
Dude. Seriously? This is a totally prophetic movie that lays out exactly what's happening in America and, sadly, around the world. This movie was brilliance wrapped up as a gift.
@@skellington2000 Actually they claim everything, including math, is racist.
@@skellington2000 what kind of weird world are you living in R’s have been trying to cancel TV shows, movies + books forever. Just recently the Virginia governors race was spotlighted because a Mother found out the school was having her 17-year-old kid read Toni Morrison‘s novel “Beloved“ and wanted it out of school. The religious right have been burning book ‘s and albums since the 70s. Progressives aren’t trying to get rid of anything. Finally, all the best music and books and movies come from the minds of Progressives. Besides Clint Eastwood your cupboard is bare. But try again.
@@MMAGamblingTips ummmm I fear your to far gone to see how wrong you are... I hope u wake up someday lol
@@skellington2000
I can agree with most of those. I’m a progressive, but the loony left makes me cringe just as much (or more) as the far far right does. I can’t stand a leftist like Rashida Talib or journalist like Joy Reid more than MTG or judge Jeanine “Wine Box“ Pirro. While I am a Democrat, I’m basically a centrist. I live in West Virginia, and grew up with a coal mine family who hunts and goes fishing regularly. So I’m not a stuffy elite from San Francisco or another out of touch ritzy area like The Hamptons.
One of the greatest movies of all time
2001 - saw it when it was released when I was 6. Had a major influence on me becoming a scientist, astronomer and association with space. I am glad to see you make the points about it; its importance as a movie in general, and it's massive influence on all future directors and... most importantly, the scientists and engineers that are pushing the frontiers of space today. There is not one of us who was not profoundly influenced by 2001.
It's nice to see someone younger letting people know that movies do not begin with Star Wars. I love Star Wars, but I hate that a lot of people think film history starts there.
Stalker is one of my favorite movies of all time 🖤 instant respect for this channel (from a newcomer here) for recognizing it as a rightful masterpiece. Can’t wait to dig into more of your vids 🤘
"2001: A Space Odyssey" is still debated, discussed, and watched 53 years after it was made. That, in itself, is saying something. Great choice for #1. I thoroughly enjoyed this program, and so many films on your list I am definitely going to re-visit. Great job!
It set the bar for movie narratives and cinema photography, but I couldn't place it at no.1 for that alone when now there's movies like the new Dune. Still need to pay homage to 2001 a space odyssey but people put it at number 1 just for that sake.
Dune is 20k yrs in the future. It says it’s 10190 because 10k yrs ago from that there was a pinnacle moment in history where it was like BC and AD we have today. It was when the space guild was created and Arrakis and spice took the center stage of the empire and houses.
Its actually 30k
I'm so glad 2001: A Space Odyssey is your number one pick! The film is intelligent, provocative, inspiring and visually stunning, it is a cinematic work of art! I once heard it said that, " when it comes to movies, there's 2001: A Space Odyssey and then there's everything else". I saw the film in 1968 when I was 18 years old and the impression it made was indelible. Seeing it while on acid did enhance the experience but I still watch it every year and it always amazes me. For me, the only sting in the tail is how little space travel has progressed in the 53 years since the film's release, I hoped that as the 21st century unfolded, the interplanetary travel depicted in 2001 was prophetical, not science fiction.
@@permitfisher Comment on what you thought about the movie, I'd be interested to know.
And shockingly we don't have the technology to go back to the moon anymore.
Boring
Do you know what makes this video best?
Its the fact that you put the list for us right there in comments. Many youtubers literally leave the list so that everyone has to watch the whole video. But it's so frustrating when we come back to these videos which are like 30mins long & ofc no one's gonna watch the whole thing again just to find that one movie or even all of them. Love you for doing that. Subscribed. Great video too btw. Would love if you use that new youtube feature of chapters for individual movies as then later we can switch to individual movie short reviews.
There's only one movie on this list that I haven't seen.......Stalker. And you've convinced me to watch it...and rewatch a few others. Thanks DvD!
I saw Stalker, to be honest, it didn't do much for me. Let me know what you think, maybe I missing something?
I am skeptical about Stalker also ....am I too lazy ignorant to relax with this highly philosophed/ dreamlike/ make ur own decisions... Type 🎭 arthouse 🎥 film ...I trust D's remarks; but,if ya look into this Russian masterpiece .....critics adore it; regular movie loving people say,😣....it's soooo many allegories.***** I read a new version is out(?) With Woody Harrelson....✌️
@@carystallings6068 😴.....wasn't crazy about Solaris either. ...maybe I'm too un motivated to spend brain cells figuring figuring struggling with," ok, WTF is going on now?; Allegory,reality,present,past???? .....I'm 😩 tired.....
After investigating, Stalker,will be like that,I think......I'm working up to viewing it....😳✌️
Great presentation, Darren. Sci-Fi movies that I have enjoyed are:- Oblivion, Scanners 💥, Equilibrium, I Am Legend, 12 Monkeys, Tenet 💥💥, The Matrix 💥💥, Dune (This will be a definite must-see, for me and I’ll give you feed back) 🌟, Planet Of The Apes (Definitely the best and from my generation) 💥, Mad Max: Fury Road 💥, Blade Runner and Blade Runner 2049 💥💥. Finally, my all time favourite, 2001: A Space Odyssey 💥💥💥💥💥 Agree 100% with you, on your observations on 2001. Many thanks for sharing with us, Darren 🌟🌟🌟
Thanks Andreas!
Good to see "Stalker" getting the love it deserves. Tarkovsky literally had to shoot the entire film three(!) times, but it was worth it. Solaris (Tarkovsky's other sci-fi masterpiece) is also on HBO Max, if folks haven't seen it. Great list, as always.
Okay, Solaris too. Another reason to get HBO Max!
Free Stalker here:
th-cam.com/video/TEk2PwE3Aok/w-d-xo.html
More boring than watching paint dry! 🤡🌍
I got 4 naps in. What should had been over in 156 mins I milked it for 4 hours 😂
I saw it when I was 12 years old. Instantly became one of my top 5 sf s ever. Can't believe how people (including me) lost patience in watching a movie.
I forget his name, but the guy who wrote EQUILIBRIUM had my opinion on professional critics. When they asked how he felt about getting panned by critics he said, “I didn’t write the movie for a bunch of people I wouldn’t want to have a beer with.”
Lol I like that
Great movie One of my favorites
Oblivion is definitely underrated IMO
Cannot believe it gets only 7/10 on IMDb.
no it isn't, it's like the most boring movie with Tom Cruise, like ever
Agreed.
@@robbietorkelsonn8509 steel magnolias, vanilla sky, interview with a vampire, the mummy
@@somethingclever4563 at least none of those were different then what you could expect
btw. really lovedd interview with a vampire in my young days, steel magnolias is obviously aimed at the female gender
That's quite the lineup! I highly recommend Stalker. I saw this for the first time when it was released on DVD. Definitely slow paced but so visually beautiful and such a deep story. Was based on a novel called Roadside Picnic. The original Solaris movie is by the same director. Eraserhead rules as well!
Kubrick was a genius. His movies typically have multi-level hidden themes that are beyond most people. Kubrick's Odyssey by Jay Weidner is a must watch. There is also a part 2!
Well,I admit I'm lazy or stupid or just tired of trying to find my own answers thru these genius allegories and such...😩
Moon with Sam Rockwell and Silent Runnings with Bruce Dern are great too.
I had no interest in Christian Bale as an actor, until I saw "Equilibrium". I did a complete 180, and started watching everything he did. Now, Bale is one of the five greatest actors working today (in my humble opinion). I never miss any of his films.
I thought that he did a great job and a sort of Martial Arts with handguns, who knew! Good stuff!!
Thanks for your work, DvD. Yet another great list.
Very welcome
your appreciation of film really translates, should do more singular movie commentary
Well, I was on the fence about whether to get HBO Max for Dune. But hearing Tarkovsky’s Stalker is on it settles it for me. It’s criminal that his work is not better known. Thanks for the info!
Honestly I think HBO max is one of the better streaming services out there right now. With the new release movies, older movies, all of the HBO original shows plus pretty much the entire WB catalog its packed with good stuff.
@@DR_Bloom86 got it, watched Dune. Liked it, but constantly comparing it to Lynch version (which I like). I could watch Villaneuve’s (sp?) Arrival over and over. Not sure if I could with his Dune….
@@nicolknappen6596 Exactly, I don't get the hype of the new Dune and the hate for the Lynch version, although I personally loved the first one a lot. Might be marketing reasons though
Tarkovsky's Solaris is available on HBO Max also
Yes!! My favorite genre of movies and my favorite TH-cam movie recommendation channel and host, thanks Darren!! You’re the man….with the cool shirts
Actually kinda amazed at how well my own list would line up with yours. Couple of minor swaps, but really solid overall. Thanks for this.
I do appreciate the longer videos, you're someone I wish I could talk to about these things so seeing your analyses is great during this isolation.
I usually have a harder time with most slow-paced movies. But, Stalker looks to embody my favorite kind of atmosphere. Thanks for putting the word out. I'll be checking it out as soon as I can.
The games inspired by it are great too.
While I had seen Dune several times on HBO Max, I was planning to see Dune in IMAX over Thanksgiving holiday, and I was incredibly disappointed that Dune had already left all the theaters, including the regular theaters. Thankfully, it did get re-released to IMAX around Christmas, so I was able to see it then. It was spectacular in IMAX! This was my first time experiencing IMAX, and I have to say that while it was really amazing, when I think back to the really huge theaters that they had back in the 1970s, IMAX is a throw back to them. I remember seeing Star Wars for the first time in a theater that held well over 800 people on a 70' wide x 35' tall screen (The old Glenwood Theater, in Overland Park, KS,) and the IMAX screen really reminded me of that. The opening scenes in Star Wars were brought back to mind with how Dune appeared in IMAX!
Isn't Miller doing a prequel to Mad Max: Fury Road called Mad Max: Furiosa with Anya Taylor-Joy playing a young Furiosa and Chris Hemsworth?
*Perfect list by the way!
Yeah maybe... it's currently expected 2024 and pre-production hasn't started yet.
Excellent list as always! Thank you! And, yes I like the longer video. I love to hear why you like these movies. It gives me insight that I might not otherwise have as to their quality and what went into making them. Keep up the great work!
Thanks for this man… I legit was thinking this morning “I wonder if Darin put out anything”… and when I got on TH-cam this morning you dropped a gift right in our laps… thanks man… love the beard and the cut! We love you bro keep it up!!!
I appreciate the longer videos
Ahh "Stalker" - my favorite movie (not just sci-fi movie) period - have watched this movie many times and it's practically a new event each time - recently wanted to see it again but could not find it streaming anywhere so actually bought the blue-ray - of course shortly there-after found it available in a couple places, including HBOMax - sigh, but at least I have it available for whenever now
Free right here for those who're searching:
th-cam.com/video/TEk2PwE3Aok/w-d-xo.html
The Blu-ray looks great! I remember I had to pay something like 35€ for the dvd, witch was three times the cost of a regular film at that time! I was afraid that it would never be restored, not many people are interested in Trakovski's work, all of them are great btw
TCM played Stalker recently and I dvr-ed it. I completely agree, it is very much worth seeing. I loved it.
I watched Blade Runner again on hbomax. One of my favorites.
I've always heard about this movie (Scanners) as a kid and I've never seen it. It's one of those that missed me. Gotta check it out.
Totally worth seeing!
It's excellent!
It's a classic!
I consider myself to be a huge movie buff but I've never been brave enough to watch Eraserhead
It’s only a movie….
@@nicolknappen6596 I think you're confusing Eraserhead with Last House On The Left ... lol
@@nicolknappen6596 thanks
It takes a very long time to scrape that shit off your brain.😉
@@raywalsh2190 LHOTL I’ve never seen. I like my gore highbrow….
I saw 2001 in the theatre the week it was released and it was THE movie that Sci-Fans had been hoping for all their lives. Loved it then, love it now. Great list! I have seen everything on there multiple times. I would have added the original "The day the Earth Stood Still " with Michael Rennie and "Forbidden Planet" the first big budget Sci-fi pic and introduced Leslie Nielsen and Robbie the Robot!
I’m glad you’re on the same page as me about Dune and BR 2049. Villeneuve paints an incredible picture with the worlds he’s given.
Agreed. And you kind of have to admire the nerve it takes to say, essentially, “Never mind the studios and penny pinchers and millions of dollars in budget and the critics and everyone and everything else: My mission was to make the movie 14-year-old Denis had in HIS head when he read the books for the first time.”
Kubrick made giant leaps in special effects and brought maturity to the science fiction genre.
I love “Scanners”. I bought 1,2 and 3. Someone tried to steal my package in the hallway. They opened it. Then put it back at my door. There loss. I thought it was amusing. Good evening. 🤪 Thank you.
😂
I was in H.S. in '68 when 2001: A Space Odyssey was released. Reviews were bad, no friends recommended it so I skipped it.
In '74 it was re-released and I saw it with 70mm, Dolby Sound. They were ALL wrong! Afterward I told my friend "we've just seen film as art."
btw, nice shirt...
I Am Legend and the two prior films you mentioned were all based on a 1954 novel by Richard Matheson. Good list. We found a lot of really good films through your recommendations. Thanks!
Thanks for the list bro 🙌 I like that you always go to the archives to show us movies we've missed out on
The Hitchhiker's guide to the galaxy is an incredible movie!! And book series.
I am legend is a famous book by Richard Matheson. In the book they were straight out vampires and not zombies. The book is excellent and very well thought of. You should definitely give it a read.
Nice! There are some I wasn't aware of, thank you! A small correction the year 10000 something in the beginning is not 10 000 AD but 10 000 AG (After the Spacing Guild). The actual year would be something like 28 000 AD. I'll shut up now :)
I'm glad I found your channel, thanks for making these. the fact that you know what people like and hate and you take the time to quickly go through a lot of movies and point out all the good and bad aspects of movies is really refreshing to me.
Tenet is one of those movies you have to rewatch to get it all.
"I am Legend" is a great, remarkable book. The movie really did it no justice at all. It distorted the core of the story and made it into something quite unremarkable. Having read the book three times I considered the movie to be an insult.
Thatś how I feel about Day of the Triffids (which isn´t on this list, of course). Itś a remarkable, sophisticated book! If you only know of it from the movie/TV adaptations, youve been given an entirely dumbed-down idea of the source material.
I would recommend the omega man as an adaption of the book
The movie is, in short, terrible.
I couldn't believe he didn't mention the book here! It's so much better than this adaptation.
@@valley_robot It's not an adaptation - but stands well on its own. The Last Man on Earth with Vincent Price is bang on
New subscriber here. Wow, fantastic list. His explanation of 2001 is the greatest ever.
I am lucky enough to remember seeing the original as a child in the theater with my dad. Like he pointed-out, no one had ever seen anything like it before. It was magical. I still remember the ships docking with the Blue Danube score. The very first scene in Star Wars was totally borrowed from the revel of the massive ship heading to Saturn.
Really enjoyed this video. Thanks for keeping my watch list full!
You bet Craig!
Stalker is such an incredible movie. Have to love the ambience. Based on Arkadi & Boris Strugatsky's Roadside Picnic. Incidentally, Enki Bilal's Immortel graphic novel, and subsequent movie, are also based on the same book. I would recommend, also from Tarkovsky, the film Solaris based on Stanislaw Lem's book. It was remade later in the US and, although the US film has stunning visuals and suspense, the ambience of Tarkovsky's version is difficult to recreate, let alone improve. Final comment, Stanislaw Lem, a polish science fiction writer, is an absolute must to complete a good science fiction library. He wrote many books besides Solaris. You might want to check The Invincible or The Cyberiad, to mention just a few of his outstanding and forward looking work.
Glad you included my fave, 2001, a visual masterpiece! Especially for that time. It helps to read the book by Arthur Clarke, another sci fi literary master piece. Most don't realize the theme of the book is the passing of intelligence from one civilization to another.
The monolith passes that "spark" from that alien civilization, to the apes, our ancestors, in the beginning. The apes begin to understand the bones are a "tool", aka new technology. I love the clip where the ape throws the bone up and it is transformed into a floating satellite and then pen, in the modern space vessel. One technology transformed into another. Pure genius on the part of Kubrick!!
This explains the fetus image in the movie towards the end. The new Dawn of a new race. At the end we are ultimately passing our intelligence to another "alien" race, who knows what that could be?
AI. Hal 9000 is the next progression.
@@ensenadorjones4224 could very well be...
Love your explanations for everything and how honest and insightful your reviews are. You are nailing it sir, thanks for making this. I'm now a loyal subscriber
Yes to the longer videos. I don’t even love sci fi, but loved this list. The more Darren Van Dam, the better.
Scifi, my favorite genre! Great list
Oblivion was incredible cinematography and music. I wish they flipped the story a bit and did more of the fall of mankind and the big reveal ending being who was patrolling the different quadrants.
Event Horizon! Good ole Warhammer 40k influence.
Both Tenet and Inception are so out of the box and brilliantly done.
Loved Iron Giant. One of my favorite of all time.
As for the new Dune I agree it looks good, however as a kid I read Dune the book first and for whatever reason Lynch's portrayal actually mirrored what I imagined that universe to be like so, I am, one of the few that prefers the Lynch version.
U r not alone....
@@Maya_Pinion Thanks Sue I was wondering if something was wrong with me!
I like the 80s version but I do like the TV mini series with the follow up children of dune. Just hope the new one gets better with part 2
@@toddmcminn4722 I have not seen the TV series will check it out. I think the new Dune is a tachnological marvel but a little too antiseptic for my tastes and it was basically an intro. To the main movie, part 2, like you I hope it gets made and is worth the wait.
I really enjoyed this longer video. Great list. I signed up with Criterion just to watch Stalker; glad to see it on HBOMAX.
Have you ever seen Shoes of the Fisherman? I thought it was interesting that it was listed as science fiction in a review I read. Have you ever seen it? It has a character in it who is meant to be Teilhard de Chardin who had some pretty unconventional ideas for a Jesuit priest.
Great list - the simple scene in Contact when she first hears the signal and is driving back to the base calling out the coordinates, is spine tingling...
While I do not agree with everything you say in this, I thank you for making a very comprehensive list of absolutely great SciFi films! Thanks for this!
Darren, Brother !!!
The 2005 movie adaptation of Hitchhiker's Guide is NOT all we've got! Not even close.
We have the brilliant BBC series from 1981 (I'm sure it's available on a few streaming services)
The radio play, turned Album in 1979 (maybe iTunes or Spotify ?)
and the stage play from 1980 (speak to your local theater director)
jes sayin'
(but you included Eraserhead, so all is forgiven - except Equilibrium (sucks IMO))
Speaking of scanners, I think the ability to make people’s heads explode would be a very cool super power. Just like in the TV show “The Boys.”
Imagine when Villeneuve finishes Part Two. Then, in a few years, edits the two movies together with deleted scenes to create one long, stunning masterpiece. Similar to when Coppola blended Godfathers I and II for television. Stunning. I just hope I live long enough to see it. Because when you mentioned not being alive when the original "Star Wars" was released, I was 27. And it was stunning. Went back at least seven or eight times, and the opening scene was always stunning. Still is. "Fury Road:" is Furiousa smashes the patriarchy.
Filming DUNE has always been challenging and the latest work has tremendous special effects and scenes but I found the characterizations weak and the Paul Atreides actor just seems wrong. I still enjoy the 1981 DUNE if only because it is a fairly complete movie. I'd like to see what part II is like....
Your comments and summaries are world class. Thank you for all your content.
You're right about everything except BR2049. To me, that was not as good a story as the original. It was FULL of visual effects, but to me, a thin story. I never cared about the characters. Outland with Seannery was a better movie, for example. Much better. Even Saturn 3, with Kirk D and Farrah was a better movie. CERTAINLY Logan's Run was a better sci fi, storywise. All good wishes!
I've seen all of these films multiple times because I'm a science fiction geek. You're list is on point. I might put Dune higher than Furry Road simply because Dune is so beautifully shot, directed and the story line in the film is closer to the actual books.
Oh and that Fury Road was absolutely horrendous. There's that too.
I think dune was a worse fury road. Too slow and brooding plus the characters weren't developed much especially the main character and how nothing really challenges him.
@Flick Connection
I couldn't possibly agree MORE with, both, your assement of the original Matrix, AND your opinion on the 2021 Dune film! There was something so grandiose and EPIC about that new Dune film and the FEELING of being transported and INTRODUCED to this MASSIVE, new, universe; it was SO GOOD (the FEELING I mean) and it truly left me jonesing for MORE. And the OG Matrix... omg I literally watched the film 8 or 9 times IN the theatres and I don't even know how many more times after that over the past 20+ yrs, just an amazing piece imo. And tbh the entire Matrix trilogy was special to me; I felt that it could've been ONE gigantic film, the continuity was so well written and directed. It was like a sci-fi, action, romance film all wrapped into one with religious undertones; it was just extraordinary. And lastly the Animatrix... I'm SO happy you added that one to your list, because I feel like a lot of people are unaware of it!? And again the continuity is right there, the stories are all great, and the artwork/animation.... WOW! If you're a fan of Anime, or animated ART, this one is something special.
Anyway, i love what you do and genuinely appreciate every vid you post. Thank you for your work and I look forward to your next one!
Great list. It felt like you were combining a few different lists together: groundbreaking vs accessible, visual vs storytelling, best directed ... Etc. Would have liked to have seen arrival on this list... But not sure which category.
Alien was one of my favorite movies ever, event horizon bored me to tears. I don't get it. Maybe I'll try it a third time.
I watched event horizon 3 times in 2 weeks and my opinion remains the same, i don’t get the hype 🤷🏻♂️
I've seen Dune 21 four times once in IMAX... I still love and will always love the David Lynch version equally. it is practically the seminial 80s nostalgic sci-fi movie for me. spoiler alert. the absence of the Navigator scene establishing the origin of the conspiracy... eh left something significant to be desired. but it's it's own masterpiece. cannot wait for part 2 for crying out loud
I totally agree with you, Lynch's version will always be an iconic movie for me as well. I liked the new version for its sweeping beauty but I felt since it was a long part one it should have had more set up like you mention. Hopefully part 2 will pick up some details that would have made sense cinematically in part 1.
I like both versions too. Lynch had to cover twice the ground in half the time so you would think Dune 21 would feature more stuff from the book that we haven’t seen. Instead, it takes it’s time and builds character relationships and visual spectacle. I think we are going to see many more literary masterpieces transposed to film now that the technology has caught up with our imaginations.
just got max so this was helpful , thank you !!
Star Wars was an unreal event in 77 We waited around the block to get in.
And left the theater stunned...my brain exploded with new possibilities😳❤
Fury Road is one of finest films ever made hands down full stop
Really..... I thought it was terrible 😂😂
Lay down the crack pipe. In all seriousness I’m glad you liked it. I didn’t
THANKS
First today!
Yes thank you for this list, I too really enjoyed Blade Runner 2049, Fury Road and the new Dune, they are 3 of most enjoyable sci fi flicks from this century. I can’t wait for Dune to come out on Blu-ray. Great list! 👏👏
Great list. I would just add that if you press play on Pink Floyd’s Echoes about 23 minutes before the end of 2001, when it says Jupiter and Beyond the Infinite, you’ll have a great time.
dude you have no idea how much I love your channel and the ideas behind your content .. absolutely outstanding concept I wish you'll become a millionaire for the help and the support you show your audience with all the time and efforts you put into every video . Thank you very much.
Thank you so much for such an informed and passionate listing. I felt your love and respect for the genre and of the filmmakers art in every word you spoke.
Your recommendations around 80% of the time are spot on. No one’s perfect 😂. Keep the reviews coming, you’ve introduced me to some many interesting movies.
I had forgotten about Stalker. Completely. Until you started talking about it and I was watching the clips. I watched that one back in the day when Netflix was a DVD rental service and I was really big into foreign movies. Don't have HBO Max but always enjoy your recs, so can't wait to see some of these when they move around to other services, especially nice to hear you gush about Tenet and Fury Road, movies I've been excited or curious about but haven't gotten around to watching yet!
OMG! I have been looking for a movie on this list for at least 15 years! I only saw it once with my dad on tv and did not get to watch it till the end.
I kept asking around and doing google searches, but you don't get good results when searching for weird Russian movies. Now I know the movie was Stalker!
Thank you so much!
The original and first Mad Max will always remain my favourite. Nice review Darren. 👍
Equilibrium is amazing, thank you for adding it.
I really appreciate your reviews. You do a great job, the recommendations are wonderful and I learn stuff along the way.
Right on
I have to ask: why did you have that short segment of you in black & white that starts at 20:41? Also, you are spot on about the effect Star Wars had on those of us who saw the first theatrical release (I was 17 and an avid movie-goer). It was like nothing else before it, and I've been chasing that feeling ever since. The Matrix came close for me. And, regarding the length of your video, it went by quickly because it was so engrossing. Thank you.
Meanwhile 99% of us Europeans know Stalker and every single Tarkovsky’s movie. With The Mirror and Solaris being on the first and second spot in my list.
This is one of your best collections of reviews. Enjoyed it very much
P.S. Thank you for your great videos. You've gotten me through some tough times while being isolated due to chronic illness!!
I'm assuming Sunshine isn't on HBO Max because that is a fantastic movie! I can't believe you didn't give it an honorable mention.
Agreed. I’ll rewatch that one every year.
This is your very best video to date by far Darren and I've followed you since day 1 of your channel. I am so very glad that you mentioned "Stalker" as it is also one of my all-time favorite films I've ever seen. Stalker is also considered to be #29 on B.F.I.'s greatest films poll, to me the only poll that matters, not that it matters to anyone else, and let's see if that will hold up next year when the poll is taken again? Who knows maybe "Bladerunner 2049" will make that list another of my favorites of all time. And with a very big YES, "Planet of the Apes" is also one of my all-time favorites. They all are in my top 25 of all time. Perhaps "Mad Max Fury Road" will make B.F.I's list? From the looks of it, it will! And wow, the only film on your list that I haven't seen is "Tenant". So I gotta buckle down and see that. And yes, it's been a very long time since I've seen "2001". So I gotta see it again. So many very big thank you's for this list. PLEASE keep it going!
Thanks for your insightful commentary. I am overwhelmed with the viewing options and appreciate your help in winnowing them down.
All hail the algorithm! Had never seen your channel before this video but I’m glad I came across it! Very well put together and loved all the movies you had up there. Headed to watch BR2049 again now! Dennis might be my favorite director right now with Arrival, Dune and 2049 being some of my all time fav movies. I subbed and liked, can’t wait to look through what else you have put together.
Thank you Darren. Amazing list as usual! I'm only sad that I already watched all of this :D
I'm glad you appreciated "Underwater", I was suggesting it to you back in the day.
I'm still trying to figure out how Mad Max: Fury Road was created. How in the Hell anyone could write, shoot and direct a movei like that is beyond me.
I read the same thing in 1981 after The Road Warrior was released!
And the few awards it was given were slaps in the face. I think that was the year I really got the message that has been broadcasting on all frequencies for years: awards season is a sham. That movie was MORE than “just an action movie.”
George Miller. He's actually a Doctor as well. He made Happy Feet, then Fury Road. It's crazy.
2001 A Space Odyssey was the go to experience of LSD users in 1968. A theatre in Boston ran it 24 hours a day at one point. Almost every showing had freaked out acid heads running up the aisle or curled up into their chair. Ah, youth.
I watched, very stoned, Eraserhead in a tiny fringe cinema in West Berlin in '81. What a bloody experience that was !!!
Went back and watched Texas Chainsaw in a similar state a few weeks later, those were the days !!!!!!